The New York Post has released its confidence pool rankings for Week 9 of the NFL season, with the Jacksonville Jaguars projected to handily defeat the Baltimore Ravens.
According to the rankings, the absence of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose return this season is uncertain, significantly impacts the team's outlook. Jackson left a recent game after one snap due to a thumb injury, which was followed by a 36-10 loss to Buffalo. The rankings assign the Jaguars a 15-point advantage over the Ravens, noting that Baltimore's quarterback situation is unclear.
Other notable matchups in the confidence pool include the San Francisco 49ers favored by 14 points over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 49ers are noted as well-rested and healthy, facing a Raiders team coming off its first loss of the season.
The Detroit Lions are ranked to defeat the Miami Dolphins by 13 points. Despite the potential for a trap game with New England on the horizon for Detroit, the Lions' rushing attack and recent defensive improvements are highlighted as reasons for confidence.
The Cincinnati Bengals are favored by 12 points against the Atlanta Falcons, buoyed by Joe Burrow's recent performance of 462 passing yards and five touchdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs are predicted to beat the New York Jets by 11 points, with the Jets coming off another second-half defensive collapse.
In other rankings, the Chicago Bears are favored by 10 points over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with their top-10 rushing defense expected to contain Bucky Irving. The Buffalo Bills are predicted to defeat the Minnesota Vikings by 9 points, with Josh Allen's effectiveness against the blitz cited. The Seattle Seahawks are favored by 8 points over the Arizona Cardinals, and the Denver Broncos are expected to beat the Carolina Panthers by 7 points.
The New York Post's Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB, and college football, focusing on market value and risk mitigation. His confidence pool rankings are based on analysis of team performance and trends.